From that one confession, you can guess who this Christmas outing is for. The Spoilt Oodle Xmas Experience is the inaugural event from Brisbane dog-sitting business 3 Spoilt Dogs, and it takes over St Gabriel’s Church Grounds in Carindale on Sunday 15 November. Tickets are per dog, and the humans are strictly support cast only. The name says oodle, but it’s not only for oodles. Other small or large friendly, well-behaved breeds are welcome too. All dogs need to be on lead. Min, our Paws on the Ground Reporter, will be covering it for us, notebook in paw, and she will be adding her own confession to Santa: she loves to pee on the bathmat, but she knows he will understand. Get ready for a morning of doggie delights from 10.30am to 12.30pm, and book your dog’s ticket at 3spoiltdogs.com.au.
Christmas photos, with a spritz first
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If you’ve booked a photo session, make the Pawparazzi Zone your first stop when you arrive, because this is where your dog’s public image gets managed. ME Pet Photography is running five-minute photo sessions in front of a Christmas backdrop, with festive outfits and accessories on hand, and your dog can get a spritz of MyCavoodle cologne at the Spritzing Station beforehand. The photographer picks the best shot, and you get one professionally edited, high-resolution image emailed to you after the event. If you’d rather take your own photos, there are other photo spots around the grounds too.
The session is included in the Ultimutt Pupgrade ticket, or you can book one on its own with ME Pet Photography. If you’d like to keep your dog’s Christmas portrait on display, it can also be turned into a keepsake: an acrylic photo block ($60) or a personalised metal Xmas ornament ($40). Min, who takes her press duties seriously, will report back on how the cologne smells. Spots are limited and pre-booking is essential.
Cost: $60 per dog for a five-minute session, booked in advance with ME Pet Photography
Mrs Claus’ Barkery and a market for the dog
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Once you’re through the gate and the photo’s done, treats come first, because dogs have priorities. Mrs Claus’ Barkery makes them for four-legged guests, and the Puptail Lounge serves a pumpkin pupcup if your dog would rather sit and socialise than pose. Min will be putting the Barkery through a taste test, strictly in the name of journalism.
At Santa’s Village Markets, selected pet businesses and makers sell dog products, gifts and Christmas goodies, so you can tick off some Christmas shopping with a dog supervising. Our Paws on the Ground Reporter is already telling me to save my money and get ready for a doggy shopping spree. Vendors and sponsors include Salty Paws Designs, Gunners Goodies, Emily & Woo, The Pooch Patisserie, With Love, Cooper and Nooch Pets.
A sniffari, a postbox and Santa Paws’ sack
The Sit Stay Play Snifarri Zone is the one for dogs who live nose-first: a Christmas scent trail with safe scents, hidden treats and small challenges. Min, our intrepid explorer, will be traversing the Sniffari experience and taking field notes, and we expect a full report on the terrain, the treats and anything that smelled suspicious.
Drop your dog’s Christmas wish in the Letters to Santa Paws postbox, then add a confession to the Naughty or Nice wall, where the sock is already on record. Every ticketed pup also gets a present from Santa Paws’ Giant Sack, and the organisers say more surprises are still being planned, which our reporter will treat as a lead to be thoroughly investigated.
The Giving Tree and the Over the Rainbow Memorial Tree
Pets in the Park, the event’s charity partner, supports people experiencing homelessness and their pets, and $2 from every dog’s ticket goes to it. The Giving Tree is where you can leave donated items too… the charity can use new or used collars, leads, medication and food in its monthly clinics.
The Over the Rainbow Memorial Tree is the quieter corner. Guests can add the name of a pet who has passed, so the furbabies who can’t be with us this Christmas are remembered too. The tree is presented by Knose Pet Insurance.
Im-paw-tant Info
Tickets are per dog and need to be bought before the day so your gift bag can be prepared. Registrations close 48 hours before the event, and tickets on the day are only available if there’s room.
Oodles, other small and friendly dogs, and calm, well-behaved larger breeds are all welcome. To keep everyone safe and secure, dogs must stay on a standard lead (not an extendable one) for the whole event, as the grounds aren’t fenced. They also need to be fully vaccinated, including C5 or equivalent, and females in season can’t attend.
We’ll be in the grounds from 10.30am with Min, our Paws on the Ground Reporter, who is already composing her must-do list. Her report will follow on our channels, so come and say hello.
Where: St Gabriel’s Church Grounds, 11 Bridgnorth St, Carindale
When: Sunday 15 November, 10.30am to 12.30pm
Cost: Tickets are per dog. General Paws Access ($27.50) covers entry, photo spots, activities, free treat samples, the Xmas market and a gift from Santa’s lucky dip. The Very Spoilt Pupgrade ($44) adds a limited edition Oodles Xmas bandana, a pupshake and a gift from the VIP Santa Sack. The Ultimutt Pupgrade ($110) adds both of those plus a ME Pet Photography session and a keepsake metal ornament.
Bookings: Book ahead at 3spoiltdogs.com.au, as registrations close 48 hours before the event.